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President Lee Jae-myung proposes health insurance coverage for hair loss treatments
South Korean President Lee Jae-myung has suggested that the national health insurance scheme should cover treatments for hereditary hair loss, arguing that the condition now represents more than a cosmetic concern. The proposal has sparked debate over priorities within the country's financially strained healthcare system.
Current coverage and public reaction
Under existing rules, South Korea's national health insurance covers hair loss treatments only when caused by medical conditions. Hereditary hair loss, which does not pose a direct threat to physical health, remains excluded. Health Minister Jeong Eun-kyeong confirmed this policy during a briefing on Tuesday, prompting Lee to question whether hereditary hair loss should be reclassified as a medical condition.
Reactions to the proposal have been mixed. Some social media users praised Lee, with one calling him the "best president in history." Others, however, criticized the move as a potential vote-grabbing tactic. Song Ji-hoon, a 32-year-old Seoul resident who uses hair loss medication, called the proposal unnecessary, noting that annual costs for treatment amount to less than 300,000 won ($200).
Stigma and societal pressures
In South Korea, where beauty standards are stringent, hair loss carries significant social stigma, particularly among younger generations. Authorities report that 40% of the 240,000 people who sought treatment for hair loss last year were in their 20s or 30s.
"My fringe keeps receding and won't stay up, so I can't get a perm or use wax properly. Because I can't style my hair the way I want, I end up thinking I look unkempt and unattractive, and that has seriously eroded my confidence."
Lee Won-woo, 33, resident of North Chungcheong province
Despite acknowledging the emotional toll of hair loss, some remain skeptical of using public funds for treatments. Lee Won-woo, who shares the president's surname, expressed gratitude for potential subsidies but questioned the financial feasibility, noting that the national health insurance system is already running a deficit.
Financial and political concerns
South Korea's national health insurance faced a record deficit of 11.4 trillion won ($7.7 billion) last year, a gap expected to widen as the population ages. To mitigate the financial impact of covering hair loss treatments, President Lee suggested imposing limits on coverage. However, critics argue that resources should prioritize more serious health conditions.
The Korean Medical Association stated on Wednesday that government funds would be better allocated to treating life-threatening diseases. Social media users echoed this sentiment, highlighting broader societal issues such as South Korea's high suicide rate and gender-based discrimination.
"In a country where people bristle and react hysterically when there are calls to cover sanitary pads or breast cancer medication under national health insurance, announcing that hair-loss drugs will be covered would honestly feel like a bad joke."
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Political motivations and past promises
President Lee's proposal is not new. During his unsuccessful 2022 presidential campaign, he championed the idea of covering hair loss treatments, even starring in a viral parody of a hair loss commercial. Critics at the time accused him of using gimmicks to appeal to young male voters, who were increasingly aligning with his conservative opponent amid rising anti-feminist sentiment.
Though Lee won this year's election, his campaign did not emphasize hair loss treatments. Don S. Lee, an associate professor of political science at Korea University, suggested the president may be reviving the issue to "expand his base of supporters" ahead of the 2026 local elections. The professor expressed skepticism about whether Lee would follow through, calling the proposal a "strategic gesture" aimed at young male voters.
Since taking office, Lee has focused on addressing the challenges faced by South Korea's youth, who contend with intense competition and limited economic opportunities. On Tuesday, he also proposed adding obesity drugs to the national health insurance scheme, arguing that young people felt increasingly marginalized by a system that did not cater to their needs.
